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208km (129 miles) in electric mode with a gen 2 prius

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by planetaire, Oct 20, 2014.

  1. planetaire

    planetaire Plug in 20 kWh 85 km/h or > 208km range

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2009
    190
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    Location:
    France
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello, Dimitris,

    You have two ways

    First "High" power (Up to 25 kW)
    If you add cells in your prius 2 you will need a device that will change the state of charge (soc). If not your prius will still use the 6.5Ah factory and you will only have reduced the battery internal resistance.
    I still use bms+ made by Norman. But he is retired now.
    This bms+ handle the soc and send a modified one to the other ecu. Simple, very reliable and independant from the cells capacity. Never add problem since 4 years.
    Add extra cells (A123 in my case), a contactor between the nimh cells and the lithium one.
    Always add a bms on these cells
    Add a HV charger, different plugs, domestic or type 2 or type 3. Now I use à 10kW charger (Only 10kg) then I use a type 2 or 3 plug.

    Instead of using bms+ and a bms you can use orion bms. Very good system but more expansive.

    Second solution low power
    You can send up to say 14A via a dc-dc converter. This was the "enginer" idea.
    I use a dc-dc converter, but unlike the enginer dc-dc converter in high voltage between my two lithium packs.
    Also reliable, this dc-dc converter is a low power and low amperage solution. Low amperage means very low heat dissipation.
    With a dc-dc converter you will not charge the lithium cells going downhill.

    You may have more details on my web site.

    On prius chat you can find details on differents threads.

    Dc-dc converter
    High power

    Just for fun a few example charging places where my Plugin has been:
    [​IMG]
     
    #21 planetaire, Apr 6, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
    Prius_extra likes this.
  2. semo.pz

    semo.pz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2012
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    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Planetaire, what you've done is quite fascinating. Would you say that your project may pay for itself at some point or is it purely a hobby?

    I've been paitiently waiting for prices of the gen 2 to drop even before it came out but I think I might have waited too long. I've read that the nimh pack doesn't last much longer than 8 years (milage doesn't matter much apparently). Do you have any tips to average diyers on how to renovate the original pack? Apparently the cells from a gen 3 are drop in compatible with the gen 2 pack but I don't know where to source them from or how to safely gut and replace the pack (if it costs more than £2k then I probably won't move on to a hybrid car).
     
  3. planetaire

    planetaire Plug in 20 kWh 85 km/h or > 208km range

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2009
    190
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    Location:
    France
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello, Semo.pz

    Here, in France there is an important price difference between electricity and gasoline.
    So, since I use my plugin, the difference is more then 4300 Euros. That pay more then 50% of the 140 A123 cells, charger, bms, bms+ ...
    I drive less then 15 000 km each year (9300 miles) , It is also a hobby. But what I want was to reduce my gas consumption for all sort of reasons.

    We have here gen 2 prius since 2004 and they have still there nimh battery. So i think the average nimh life is more then 8 years.
    8 years is the waranty.
    I believe that hot temperature where you use the car is one of the main factor.
    Concerning old nimh battery, you have several threads on priuschat.
     
    bobio likes this.
  4. Jonas Andersson

    Jonas Andersson Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2015
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    Location:
    Sweden, Stockholm (norrort)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello Planetaire,

    would you mind sharing what Meanwell DC/DC converter you are using?
     
  5. planetaire

    planetaire Plug in 20 kWh 85 km/h or > 208km range

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2009
    190
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    Location:
    France
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Jonas

    I use a meanwell HLG 320H and a HLG 240H. If necessary they are connected in // at both primary and secondary (connecting first primary).
    When output voltage is out of range, the 320H disconnect itself and you have to inplug / reconnect this device, unlike the 240H that stay just waiting a better output voltage.
     
  6. Jerzy

    Jerzy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2023
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    Location:
    London
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----
    Hi Your trip really impressed me. 200km - great achivement no doubt.
    Would you like to share what exactly you have done to the car and how you connected all that?
    Thank you,
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    not sure if this helps: this is his webpage, click on the slash > /